For locals looking to escape Minnesota’s winter weather, there will soon be more options available near home. Beginning Jan. 12, Allegiant Airlines will be offering four nonstop flights each week from the St. Cloud Regional Airport to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona.

 

Adding two flights to the two they already offer, the airline will now have flights to Arizona on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays each week. 

 

Flight tickets can be purchased to depart and return on any of the days offered, so each passenger can create the trip that works best for them.

 

There are three options for travelers to purchase their fares. First, they can visit the Allegiant website at allegiantair.com, or through the Allegiant link on the St. Cloud Regional Airport’s website at stcloudairport.com.

 

Customers can also call Allegiant’s reservation center at 702-719-8131, however a nominal fee is charged to use the service.

 

The third way to purchase tickets is to stop in at the St. Cloud Airport and speak to an Allegiant Airlines reservation agent in person. The reservation agent is only at the airport for an hour after each flight leaves however, so to use this option be sure to check the website and make note of when the flight times are, as they’re different each day.

 

For example, if the flight leaves at 12:15 p.m. on a Wednesday, the reservation agent would be available from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. that day.

 

Purchasing tickets in person through a reservation agent or by visiting the website is free of charge.

 

St. Cloud Regional Airport also offers charter flights to Laughlin-Bullhead International Airport in Arizona through Sun Country once a month, however these flights fill up fast. 

 

Travelers interested in the Laughlin flights can request to be put on the airport’s notification list by sending an email to airport@ci.stcloud.mn.us. The email should include their name, phone number and email address, and indicate they would like to be put on the list.

 

St. Cloud Airport Director Bill Towle indicated they are also hoping to be able to offer a flight to Orlando in the near future.

 

The airport recently completed a 500-foot extension to their main runway, bringing it to a total of 7,500 feet. The additional length adds an extra level of safety for all aircraft.